Manchester City will make a £15 million offer for Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz today.

The Mirror says manager Mark Hughes has talked City's money men into one last straight-cash bid for the Paraguayan, who has made no secret of his desire to join him at Eastlands, and the move could finally happen in the next 48 hours.

Several of City's previous offers for Santa Cruz have included staged payments, but this is money up-front that gives Sam Allardyce the cash and time to get a replacement.

Rovers may make an attempt to take young Daniel Sturridge on loan for the rest of the season as Santa Cruz's ready-made successor.

Sturridge, 19, is out of contract in June and Hughes, who does not want to lose him, could have to decide whether to let him go to Rovers and risk him liking the set-up at Ewood Park and angling to stay.